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Enhancing frontline workforce volunteerism through exploration of motivations and impact during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chow, Cristelle; Goh, Seo Kiat; Tan, Choon Seng Gilbert; Wu, Hong King; Shahdadpuri, Raveen.
  • Chow C; Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.
  • Goh SK; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Rd, Singapore, 169608, Singapore.
  • Tan CSG; Department of Clinical Services, SingHealth Polyclinics, Head Office, 167 Jalan Bukit Merah, Connection One (Tower 5), Singapore, 150167, Singapore.
  • Wu HK; Department of General Medicine, Changi General Hospital, 2 Simei Street 3, Singapore, 529889, Singapore.
  • Shahdadpuri R; Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore, 229899, Singapore.
Int J Disaster Risk Reduct ; 66: 102605, 2021 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1450121
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

During a pandemic, healthcare workers are requested to volunteer for potentially high-risk frontline duties outside of usual hospital and primary care clinic settings in order to better serve vulnerable communities. Examination of volunteer motivations and impact of such experiences can drive more effective pandemic response efforts with regards to volunteer recruitment and retention. This study aims to explore the motivational factors underlying healthcare worker volunteerism in COVID-19 pandemic response operations in the community, and to describe the impact of such operations on volunteers, in order to highlight important volunteer recruitment strategies and ensure volunteer sustainability.

METHODS:

A qualitative phenomenological approach is taken in this study through the use of semi-structured individual interviews of healthcare staff, to provide in-depth exploration of personal experiences. Staff were purposefully sampled to ensure diversity of personal and professional backgrounds.

RESULTS:

A total of 35 staff, consisting of 17 males and 18 females from medical, nursing, allied health, and administrative backgrounds, who participated in COVID-19 community-based operations in migrant worker dormitories and swab isolation facilities were interviewed. The main motivational factors were volunteer functions of values, understanding and enhancement. Participants were positively impacted on personal and professional levels, including self-growth, societal awareness, as well as skills development in leadership and team management.

CONCLUSIONS:

Healthcare organizations should consider volunteer functions in matching individual motivations to volunteer opportunities. Additionally, personal narratives and role-modelling by senior staff can serve as useful adjunct strategies to volunteer recruitment, while providing pre-pandemic preparedness, reassurance of safety, support, and recognition.
Keywords

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Int J Disaster Risk Reduct Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijdrr.2021.102605

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Prognostic study / Qualitative research Language: English Journal: Int J Disaster Risk Reduct Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.ijdrr.2021.102605